Play ball! Yesterday officially kicked off the 2016 Major League Baseball Season. I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. I mean, seriously, how is it suddenly April?! And is it really snowing today?!
And with the start of the season comes another opportunity for your kids (age 14 and under) to join Red Sox Kid Nation (for free!)…which also includes a free ticket to a game in 2016)! This program was so successful last year that they’re bringing it back again.
And it couldn’t be easier. Just visit Red Sox Kid Nation and register each child. So easy! The tickets are available to the first 25,000 who sign up, so act fact! (click here for more details on the tickets). The good news: if you signed up for the free membership last year will automatically be re-enrolled in this year’s program.
Both my kids are proud members of Red Sox Kid Nation and we were huge fans of the family-friendly changes the team made last year, from the creation of Wally’s Clubhouse (an indoor playspace chock full of entertainment and kid-friendly activities) to the Gate K Red Sox Kids Nation Concourse.
Seriously, I think my kids would have been just as happy spending the entire game in Wally’s Clubhouse rather than in the stands watching the game! And I can’t say I blame them. What kid doesn’t love video games, blocks, balloon animals, magicians, games, and crafts…and the chance to meet Wally? (And kudos, Red Sox, for having beer available to those of us parents who end up in the Clubhouse, too!)
For the 2016 season, the Red Sox are introducing several updates to Wally’s Clubhouse, located in the Kids Concourse behind right field, including:
• A rolling mobile exhibit with a miniature fiberglass version of Pesky’s Pole that kids can sign with a dry erase marker, a piece of the padded field wall that lines the infield and outfield, and various compartments with objects for them to feel, such as a deconstructed baseball and Fenway Park dirt.
• Miniature lockers staged to look just like the ones in the Red Sox clubhouse, and an oversized trunk filled with authentic Red Sox jerseys, cleats, and batting gloves for playing dress up.
• Enhanced organized games and activities such as Red Sox bingo, story time, Q&A sessions, and lessons on scoring the game will take place in the space.
• A comprehensive clinic (later in the season) for kids who want to learn how to score the game.
However, for my kids (particularly Mimi), the most exciting update is knowing that Tessie, Wally’s little sister, will be joining her big brother in the Kids Concourse and Wally’s Clubhouse this season.
We had a chance to meet Tessie during the Red Sox Winter Weekend at Foxwoods, and Mimi – the girl who usually shies away from characters, and has refused all photos to date with Wally — was totally enamored.
Other new family-friendly activities, programs, and enhancements planned for this season include:
• Experience what it’s like to be a Red Sox player through new virtual reality headsets that will be set up in a re-created Red Sox dugout. Virtual reality stations will be available to kids in Wally’s Clubhouse and to all fans in the Kids Concourse.
• A new mobile truck will bring the Fenway Park experience to communities throughout New England during the 2016 season, featuring a 15-foot truck with panels that move to remake the Green Monster wall, a batting cage, virtual reality dugout, and pitching stations.
We can’t wait to head to Fenway Park this season and check out all these amenities and festivities first-hand! And as an official Red Sox Mom for the third straight year (so excited!), I’ll be sharing updates and other exciting news about the team throughout the season!
Disclaimer: I’m a proud member of Red Sox Moms, which means I’ll periodically get family-friendly updates to share with you about the team, the ball park, and the organization.